Nurse Well-being Drives Patient Satisfaction in Magnet Hospitals

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether adverse nurse job outcomes mediate the relationship between Magnet® designation and quality of care and patient satisfaction. BACKGROUND: While Magnet designation is linked to better care quality and patient satisfaction, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. METHODS: This cross-sectional study linked 4 datasets: the US Clinician Well-being Study, RN4CAST-NY/IL survey, the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems, and the American Hospital Association Annual Survey. The sample included 132 hospitals (60 Magnet, 72 non-Magnet). Outcomes included nurse-reported care quality, likelihood to recommend their hospital, patient safety culture, and patient satisfaction. Mediation analyses assessed the role of nurse job outcomes. RESULTS: Magnet status was directly associated with better quality and patient satisfaction outcomes, and indirectly through lower job dissatisfaction and work-life imbalance. Burnout did not mediate these relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Nurse well-being plays a vital role in contributing to the relationship between Magnet designation and patient satisfaction.